
Ohio gardeners love plants that look great without needing constant care.
Low-maintenance perennials are perfect for busy people who want a beautiful yard. These plants come back year after year on their own.
Choosing the right low-maintenance perennials can save you time and effort in your garden. You’ll spend less time watering, pruning, and replanting.
Instead, you can enjoy colorful blooms and lush greenery that thrive in Ohio’s climate.
From sunny spots to shady corners, there are tough plants for every part of your yard.
1. Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are cheerful, yellow flowers that brighten up Ohio gardens. They’re easy to grow and come back year after year.
Plant these sunny blooms in full sun for best results. They like well-drained soil but can handle drought once established.
You don’t need to fuss much with Black-eyed Susans. They resist pests and deer tend to leave them alone. To keep them blooming longer, snip off old flowers.
These hardy plants attract butterflies and bees to your yard. They make great cut flowers too. With their golden petals and dark centers, they’ll add a pop of color to your garden from summer into fall.
2. Coneflower

Coneflowers (Echinacea) are a perfect choice for your Ohio garden. These cheerful perennials bloom from early summer to fall, adding pops of color to your landscape.
You’ll love how easy coneflowers are to grow. They thrive in full sun and can handle drought once established. Plant them in well-drained soil and water regularly during their first season.
These hardy flowers come in various colors, including purple, white, yellow, orange, and red. Their daisy-like petals surround a spiky center cone, creating an eye-catching display.
To keep your coneflowers blooming, try deadheading spent flowers. This simple task encourages more blooms throughout the season. As a bonus, coneflowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds, bringing extra life to your garden.
3. Daylily

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are perfect for your Ohio garden. These tough perennials can handle different climates and don’t need much care.
Plant daylilies in sun or part shade. They’ll grow well in most soils, but they like good drainage. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and place the plant at the same depth it was in its pot.
You’ll enjoy colorful blooms from early summer onwards. Daylilies come in many shades, from bright yellows to deep reds. Each flower lasts just one day, but plants produce lots of buds for weeks of color.
These plants attract butterflies to your garden. They’re also resistant to deer and rabbits, making them a smart choice for problem areas.
4. Coral Bells

Coral bells (Heuchera) are stunning perennials that add color and texture to your Ohio garden. These plants come in a rainbow of foliage colors, from deep purple to lime green.
You’ll love how easy coral bells are to grow. They thrive in both shade and partial sun, making them versatile for different areas of your yard.
To plant coral bells, choose a spot with well-draining soil. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and place the plant at the same depth it was in its container. Water regularly until established.
These low-maintenance beauties are drought-tolerant once established. They also attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden, adding life and movement.
5. Russian Sage

Russian sage (Salvia yangii) is a stunning low-maintenance perennial that thrives in Ohio gardens. This drought-tolerant plant produces lovely lavender-blue flowers from summer to fall.
To grow Russian sage, pick a spot with full sun and well-drained soil. Plant it in spring after the last frost. Space plants about 2-3 feet apart to give them room to spread.
You’ll love how this hardy perennial attracts bees and butterflies to your garden. Its silvery-gray foliage adds a beautiful contrast to other plants too.
Russian sage needs little care once established. Water it deeply but infrequently during dry spells. Prune it back in early spring to encourage bushier growth.
6. Sedum

Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a perfect low-maintenance perennial for Ohio gardens. These tough plants thrive in sunny spots with well-drained soil.
You’ll love sedum’s fleshy leaves and colorful blooms that appear in late summer. Many varieties form low-growing mats, making them great ground covers.
Plant sedum in spring or fall. Space plants 12-18 inches apart and water sparingly after they’re established. These drought-tolerant beauties need little care once they’re settled in.
Sedum attracts butterflies and bees, adding life to your garden. The flowers also make nice cut or dried arrangements. With so many benefits, sedum is a must-have for any Ohio gardener seeking easy-care plants.
7. Hosta

Hostas are perfect for shady spots in your Ohio garden. These low-maintenance perennials come in many sizes and colors.
Plant hostas in spring or fall. They like soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. Mix compost into the soil before planting to improve drainage.
Hostas have beautiful foliage ranging from green to blue to gold. Some varieties even have variegated leaves with striking patterns.
You’ll love how easy hostas are to care for. Water them regularly during their first growing season. After that, they’re quite drought-tolerant.
These plants attract hummingbirds when they bloom in summer. The flowers can be white, lavender, or purple.
8. Lamb’s Ear

Lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina) is a fuzzy, soft-leaved plant that’s perfect for Ohio gardens. Its silvery foliage adds a unique texture to your landscape.
This easy-to-grow perennial thrives in full sun to partial shade. It likes well-drained soil and doesn’t need much water. You can plant it in spring or fall.
Lamb’s ear spreads slowly, making it a good ground cover. It rarely needs dividing and can handle poor soil conditions. The plant’s woolly leaves feel nice to touch, making it fun for kids’ gardens too.
To keep it looking tidy, trim off any dead leaves in spring. You can also remove flower stalks if you prefer just the foliage.
9. Blanket Flower

Blanket flowers (Gaillardia) bring a splash of color to your Ohio garden. These cheerful blooms come in shades of red, orange, and yellow. They’re tough plants that can handle heat and drought.
To plant blanket flowers, choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Space them about 12 inches apart. Water them regularly until they’re established. After that, they need little care.
These flowers attract butterflies and bees to your yard. They bloom from summer to fall, giving you months of bright colors. Blanket flowers are great for borders or wildflower gardens.
10. Bee Balm

Bee balm (Monarda) is a perfect choice for your Ohio garden. This native perennial brings vibrant colors and a sweet minty scent to your outdoor space.
Plant bee balm in full sun for the best blooms. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil. You can add it to your garden in spring or fall.
Bee balm attracts pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its flowers come in shades of red, pink, purple, and white. They bloom throughout the summer, adding long-lasting color to your landscape.
To keep your bee balm healthy, ensure good air circulation. This helps prevent powdery mildew. Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
11. Catmint

Catmint is a perfect low-maintenance perennial for Ohio gardens. This tough plant thrives in sunny spots and can handle dry spells like a champ.
You’ll love the soft purple flowers that bloom for weeks on end. They attract bees and butterflies, adding life to your garden.
Planting catmint is easy. Just dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and set the plant at the same depth it was in its pot. Water well after planting.
Catmint doesn’t need much care. You can trim it back after flowering to keep it tidy and encourage more blooms. It’s deer-resistant too, so you won’t have to worry about critters munching on it.
12. Yarrow

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a tough, low-maintenance perennial that thrives in Ohio gardens. This hardy plant loves full sun and can handle poor soil conditions.
You’ll enjoy yarrow’s flat-topped flower clusters in shades of white, yellow, pink, or red. These blooms attract butterflies and other pollinators to your garden.
Planting yarrow is easy. Choose a spot with good drainage and space plants about 1-2 feet apart. Water regularly until established, then let nature take its course.
To keep yarrow looking its best, cut back the stems after the first bloom. This encourages a second round of flowers later in the season. In fall, trim the plant to about 6 inches tall.
13. Lenten Rose

Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis) is a tough, low-maintenance perennial that thrives in Ohio gardens. This early bloomer brings color to shady spots when little else is flowering.
You’ll love how easy Lenten Roses are to grow. Plant them in part to full shade and well-drained soil. They prefer slightly alkaline conditions but adapt to most soil types.
These hardy plants are deer-resistant and drought-tolerant once established. You don’t need to worry about frequent watering or pest problems.
Lenten Roses produce elegant, nodding flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple. The blooms last for months, starting in late winter and continuing through spring.
14. Lungwort

Lungwort (Pulmonaria) is a charming perennial that thrives in Ohio’s shady gardens. This low-growing plant forms attractive clumps, reaching about 12-18 inches tall and wide.
You’ll love lungwort’s delicate bell-shaped flowers that bloom in spring. They start pink and turn blue or purple as they age, creating a beautiful color display in your garden.
To plant lungwort, choose a spot with partial to full shade. Space plants 12-18 inches apart in moist, well-draining soil. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil consistently damp.
15. Astilbe

Astilbe is a stunning perennial that’s perfect for Ohio gardens. These low-maintenance plants thrive in shady spots, adding a splash of color to darker areas.
You’ll love the feathery, plume-like flowers that bloom in soft shades of white, pink, purple, and red. Astilbe flowers sit atop tall, stiff stalks, creating a beautiful contrast with the airy foliage below.
To plant astilbe, choose a spot with partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and place the plant at the same depth it was in its container.
Water your astilbe regularly, especially during dry spells. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to help retain moisture and control weeds. With minimal care, your astilbe will return year after year, bringing beauty to your Ohio garden.
16. Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses add beauty and texture to Ohio gardens with little effort. These low-maintenance perennials thrive in various conditions and come back year after year.
Try planting little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) for a native option. It grows 2-4 feet tall and prefers full sun to part shade. This grass adds unique texture and color to your landscape.
Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) is perfect for shady spots. It forms gentle mounds of green and colorful foliage, making it great for borders or container gardens.
To plant ornamental grasses, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. Place the plant at the same depth it was in its container and water well after planting.
17. Peonies

Peonies are stunning, long-lived perennials that thrive in Ohio gardens. These low-maintenance beauties offer big, showy blooms in late spring to early summer.
Plant your peonies in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and place the plant so the eyes (pink buds) are no more than 2 inches below the soil surface.
You’ll love how easy peonies are to care for. They rarely need dividing and can live for decades with minimal attention. Just remove spent flowers and cut back foliage in fall.
Peonies come in various colors, from pure white to deep red. Some varieties, like ‘Festiva Maxima’, offer fragrant double blooms that make excellent cut flowers for your home.
18. Shasta Daisy

Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum) are cheerful, low-maintenance perennials perfect for Ohio gardens. These white flowers with sunny yellow centers bloom from summer to fall.
Plant Shasta daisies in spring or early fall. Space them 1 to 2 feet apart in well-drained soil. Make sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface when planting.
You’ll love how easy these flowers are to care for. They’re drought-tolerant once established and resist deer and rabbits. Shasta daisies grow well in full sun and can reach heights of 1 to 3 feet.
For the best blooms, divide your Shasta daisies every 3-4 years. This helps keep the plants healthy and vigorous. Cut back the stems after flowering to encourage more blooms and maintain a tidy appearance.
19. Columbine

Columbine (Aquilegia) is a charming perennial that’s perfect for Ohio gardens. These graceful flowers come in many colors and thrive in partial shade.
Plant columbines in well-draining soil. They prefer slightly sandy or loamy soil over heavy clay. Water them regularly, especially during their first growing season.
You’ll love how easy columbines are to care for. They’re deer-resistant and don’t need much attention once established. These hardy plants grow 15-20 inches tall and spread 12-18 inches wide.
Columbines attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds to your garden. They look great at the base of trees or in perennial borders. With their low-maintenance nature, you’ll enjoy these beautiful blooms year after year.
20. Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum)

Solomon’s Seal is a great low-maintenance perennial for Ohio gardens. This elegant plant thrives in shady spots, making it perfect for areas under trees.
You’ll love its arching stems and dangling bell-shaped flowers. The blooms appear in spring, followed by blue-black berries in fall.
To plant Solomon’s Seal, choose a spot with rich, moist soil. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and place the plant at the same depth it was growing before.
Water your new plant well and add a layer of mulch around it. This helps keep the soil moist and cool.
Once established, Solomon’s Seal needs little care. Just remove any dead leaves in spring and enjoy its beauty all season long.
Understanding Perennial Growth in Ohio
Ohio’s climate and soil create unique conditions for perennial plants. These factors shape how perennials grow and thrive in the Buckeye State.
Ohio’s Climate and Its Impact on Perennials
Ohio has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters can be cold with snow, while summers are warm and humid. This variety affects perennials in several ways:
Spring: Perennials start to emerge as temperatures warm up.
Summer: Many perennials bloom during the long, warm days.
Fall: Some late-blooming perennials show their colors.
Winter: Perennials go dormant to survive the cold.
Perennials that do well in Ohio can handle these changes. They’re tough enough to withstand cold winters and hot summers.
How to help your perennials through Ohio’s seasons:
- Mulch in fall to protect roots from winter cold
- Water deeply during summer dry spells
- Cut back dead growth in early spring
Soil Conditions Favorable for Perennials

Ohio’s soil types vary across the state. Most areas have clay-loam or silt-loam soils. These soils can be great for perennials with a few tweaks:
• Add organic matter to improve drainage in clay soils * Mix in compost to boost nutrients * Use raised beds in areas with poor soil
Perennials like well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. You can test your soil and adjust as needed.
Tips for preparing soil for perennials:
- Dig the area 8-12 inches deep
- Remove rocks and weeds
- Mix in 2-3 inches of compost
By matching perennials to your specific soil type, you’ll see better growth and more blooms.
Care and Maintenance Tips for Perennials
Caring for perennials in Ohio is easy when you know the right tricks. With a few simple steps, you can keep your plants healthy and blooming year after year.
Watering and Fertilization Strategies
Water your perennials deeply but less often. This helps roots grow deeper and makes plants stronger. In dry spells, give them a good soak once a week. For most perennials, about 1 inch of water per week is enough.
Fertilize in spring when new growth starts. Use a slow-release fertilizer to feed plants all season. Don’t overdo it – too much can harm your plants. A light feeding in mid-summer can boost late-season bloomers.
How to water efficiently:
- Water early in the morning
- Use mulch to keep soil moist
- Try drip irrigation or soaker hoses
Handling Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids, slugs, and Japanese beetles. Pick off bugs by hand or use insecticidal soap for larger problems. Prune away diseased parts of plants right away.
Prevention is key. Space plants well for good air flow. This helps stop fungal diseases. Clean up dead leaves in fall to remove hiding spots for pests and diseases.
Natural solutions often work best:
- Plant marigolds to repel pests
- Use neem oil for fungal issues
- Attract helpful bugs like ladybugs
Remember, healthy plants fight off problems better. With good care, your perennials will thrive and need less help from you.